Area tourism officials are expressing their concern with a planned hike in passport fees in the United States.
Ontario's Sunset Country Executive Director Gerry Cariou says they're already forecasting fewer visitors to the region.
"There could be a shorter term booking horizon this year," says Cariou, "because people, if they have their jobs still and if they're feeling better. It's all about consumer confidence. If they're confidence we'll get a late booking surge, but I'm not optimistic this will be a banner tourism year."
Cariou doubts families will be able to afford a more expensive passport, on top of higher gas prices and increased taxes on accommodation.
